In the world of aesthetic minerals, contrast can have several meanings; how crystals and matrix contrast with each other in color and texture, such as dark on light, clear on opaque, glassy on matte, et cetera. Contrast delineates crystal edges, setting boundaries and outlines. This creates a visual perception of dimension, thus engaging the viewer.
Contrast is a time honored tradition in all forms of art. It is one of the most important design principles in art training.The artist captures one’s audience with contrasting elements or colors. The Renaissance artist Caravaggio, through his use of Chiaroscuro, dynamically exhibited the ability of contrast to create a multidimensional world on a flat surface.
“There are no lines in nature, only areas of colour, one against another.”—Edouard Manet
In the natural world, minerals come forth from the earth as they are, but we select those specimens that have contrasting elements as they invigorate our senses. What we search for as collectors is a divergence of color, texture, form, and clarity; it creates a complex visual experience.
This exhibition presents the various forms of contrast and how it illuminates the visual character of a mineral. Each piece features one or more types of contrast; enhancing the qualities we prize.
“The greater the contrast, the greater the potential. Great energy only comes from a correspondingly great tension of opposites.”—Carl Jung
